Taska & Tadika Kembangsari: Concert & Graduation 2013

I think by now everyone knows that I make a trip back in November every year. The reason I make this annual trip, or try to, is to be part of our centre's Concert & Graduation, which is the biggest event on our calendar. This year, this event is extra meaningful because it is to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Mum postponed it to the final week of November, instead of the usual 3rd Saturday of November to accommodate my schedule. I missed not being part of the setting up, especially to be there at the school hall to watch the stage come to live. There is much involved in making a large empty stage fit for a childcare centre/kindergarten concert. Our main props: colourful balloons and long pieces of cloth.

Oh, and lots of wire, fishing line and stainless steel rods.

Not to mention lots of (loud) coordination between the people on the stage, below the stage and right at the top.

We had two staff members and an ex-student who decided to overcome their fear of heights to help with the tying of the cloth.

Slowly but surely, we filled up the airspace and had quite some fun positioning the different pieces of cloth.

Of course, the stage would not be complete if it did not had the theme displayed:

As the children and educators had already prepared the backdrop, we made use of it after we added some glitter to it.

The result was fantastic:

I really liked how the shadow dances as the stage lights switch. From down stage, that depth effect was mesmerizing.

The hall was full for the entire evening, something we are very proud of every year - supportive families who stay till the very end of the event.

After a successful evening, we took down everything the next morning and brought the balloons back to the centre. Like we do every year, we gave the balloons out to the children during the year end party.

Here is to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years. Honey Bee would not be what it is today without all of you. Thank you!

Concert & Graduation 2012: Colours

This year, the theme for our annual Concert and Graduation at Kembangsari was 'Colours'. Therefore, the material used for all the performances had something or other to do with colours.

Preparations began earlier this year, as I was around then to give ideas. As I was only there during the very initial stages, the educators (and myself, admittedly) were very nervous about putting up a good show. Preparations not only encompassed training the children in singing the songs but also the choreography of the songs, as well as matching and designing costumes and props.

Nearer the big day, Dad would draw up a draft of what the stage would look like.

Some of the educators then arrive on the night before, and more come on the morning itself to help with setting up the stage.

For particular educators, the night before also involved getting some of their props ready...

We received positive feedback for the stage this year, with the 3D effect created by the pieces of cloth that floated midair from the front to the back of the stage.

To see the hall seated to its maximum capacity and full from beginning to the end of the show was also a very encouraging sign. We really appreciate the support from everyone in the crowd - thank you!

You have no idea the amount of work that goes into making a successful show. And when I say work, I do not mean only the training and preparation for the performances. I also mean all the effort invested into grooming the children into the confident individuals that they are.

Like the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child", it takes the hard work and sweat of all the teaching and non-teaching staff and management, parents and the individual child to see the results we see in the children. It takes time and patience to guide children to become a team player who is respectful of themselves and others. It takes belief and perseverance in cultivating the habit of learning from mistakes with a positive attitude. It takes skill and enthusiasm to promote enjoyment for learning and doing new things.

The event, in my opinion, was a success. The children outdid themselves and performed better than everyone imagined. The parents were respectful of each other and were very supportive of all children. We are very honoured to have all of you with us.

Hope you will enjoy the DVD and we look forward to putting up another spectacular show for you next year!

Samantha's graduation

This is the first time I attended a graduation of one of my own family members. Okay, I confess that I have never even attended my own brother's graduation - bad sister, I know.

This evening, I was at JW Marriott in the heart of the shopping district of Kuala Lumpur to attend not-so-little-anymore Samantha's graduation.

Yes, that is my pretty cousin sitting happily there. The one with long, black hair perfect for a shampoo commercial.

And that is seriously a super bad shot of her receiving her Advanced Diploma in Fashion Marketing and Management from Raffles College of Higher Education on stage but all you can see is a blob of white due to the lighting.

She had to design, buy her own material and make those clothes on her own. Everything on her own. POWER. Puts someone like me to shame - I cannot even get a straight line sewn using a sewing machine.

My uncle and aunt, the very supportive and proud parents of the fresh grad.

Congratulations, Meimei, big girl now!

Many thanks, congratulations and best wishes!

It is that time of the year again.

The time when we count our blessings for the wonderful ups and downs with the children. All the tears and laughter, the bitter and the sweet.

The time we thank the families for their support and confidence in our teaching. We thank you in recommending us to your colleagues, friends, neighbours and extended family. We have enjoyed working with all of you in helping your children grow and learn.

The time when we anxiously await the new year to begin and to hear back from our K2 children who will be stepping up to Year One. We are constantly kept on our toes, to know if we have done our job in preparing them for their future.

As I take the graduation photos for the graduating students and as I announce each of their names as they walk towards Mum to receive their certificates, I am ushered down memory lane. Memories from as far back as when their parents approach the centre to enquire about our programs in the office with me, to the first week of their formal education and care experience with us, to the person they have turned out today.

Even as I watch them perform on stage, I feel an indescribable amount of pride. All our children, from the really young two-year-olds to the tall and lanky six-year-olds, exude confidence and enjoyment. I was brought to tears when the whole school sang 感谢. Some parents came up to me to congratulate me on another concert well done. One even had tears in her eyes.

The praises that are showered upon us when our children do well in school in future are not as important as the relationship that they want to maintain with us. To me, it is when children and their family return to help out at events, or even drop by just to send their regards that our job is a job well done. I try very hard to be part of this because this reminds me of why I chose to be in this profession.

Every year, I fly home for this.

Nothing I say can express the heartfelt gratitude I have for all our teaching and non-teaching staff, our students and their families, current and former.

Thank you, everyone. Congratulations and all the best for the coming year!

A November to remember

Plenty of happenings at school - Children's Day and the biggest event on our calendar, the Concert and Graduation, which was last night. I had a ball of a time and judging from the response of the parents, it looked and sounded like they enjoyed themselves, too. The children put up a great show this year and I am so proud of them!

Global warming seems to have made itself comfortable in recent months and more so during the eleventh month of the year. While it is blistering hot in the morning, it would be dogs and cats at noon and sunny again at 4pm. It's a wonder how the children at our centre are still well and healthy, not to mention us teachers, too.

Well, I'm down with yet another bout of cough and flu - a real bad one this time.

Weather is just one of the few things that made this month special. There were more reason, one of which was the little reunion with Mei Ann.


It was great to see her all lady-like and grown-up. I say grown-up because I felt like I was sort of stuck in the era of polo t-shirts and mini jeans skirts. It was great to hear that she did not bring her angmoh accent back to KL (I really dislike how some people feel that having spent 5 years abroad means needing to sound like they grew up there). With two years to go, we can officially call her Dr Choong!

I love reunions, no matter how often or rare they happen, with whoever. I love them because I get to reconnect with the people who has had a big share in helping to shape the person I am today. Friends, when you think about it, who can live without them despite all their imperfections?

Also, this month was when I found a new friend and fashion consultant in a young Penangite chap.


Introduced by a friend I made over half a year ago (who unlike him, is totally hopeless when shopping is concerned), he is a delight to be with. Maybe it is because of his 'younger' taste and happy-go-lucky nature. Or perhaps it is how both of us enjoy jabbering so much. But it is definitely due to how he gives his share on the clothes I choose to buy. For someone who did not finish high school, he is well-versed on a variety of other topics - take my hat off to him.

Of course, November is special because I was born on its 19th day.


With wishes from near and far, it was one day my phone would not stop vibrating. I celebrated my 26th year in existence over a meal at Sushi Zanmai with 3 crazy women. I also marked the occasion by collecting the album of photos from the studio.


November, ah... if only every month was a November month...

Time to move on

From loud wails and piercing screams, they have matured into confident individuals. They look out for each other and form their own little gangs. Some have extremely neat and beautiful handwriting, some are expressive in their painting. Some have good manners yet some would not open their mouths no matter how much you coax them.

As they take turns to put on the blue, red and trademark yellow, I glow with pride. How did we manage to do it? Year in, year out we face different groups. With these groups come different personalities and with these, different challenges.

Despite the complaints, we know that we will miss them. We definitely will. The good, the not so good and the in between. We will always remember all of you for you make it all worthwhile.

To the Class of 2008, taska & tadika kembangsari wish you all the best! We are so proud of you!

Busy Little Honey Bees!

I'm back in KL! Well, I've been back for almost a fortnight now but I only found time to sit and type today. So sorry for neglecting this blog. I know some of you have been waiting for an update.

Well, logically, there can only be one reason for my negligence - business. And I mean really. Oh, and of course it's human nature to blame others so I'll blame TMNet and my bro. Hahahaha... nah, I'll just blame my own time management.

I've been busy helping my mum with training the kids. One graduating class needed to start afresh with new steps and all as their original steps were extremely simple. The fashion show needed narration and now we've just realised that we haven't printed out the invitation cards. Mum's still reformatting the program so I'd have to wait for that before retyping and printing that one. Dad's doing up the certificates and the folders. Tomorrow we'll have our first rehearsal in the Tadika. Tuesday will be a full-dress rehearsal at the hall.

And yes, studying at Honey Bee does make the children more active and hyper - they are so excited and can't wait for Saturday to come!

Concert & Graduation 2005

What is wrong with my dad's comp?? Why can't I upload my photos?? Oh well, another pictureless entry I guess.

It was the night every teacher, parent and child was waiting for. It will be the night that they would be able to sleep peacefully and soundly again. That night was the Concert and Graduation night for the year 2005. The theme was 'Wonders of Nature'.

This year, we did things differently. We had a go at placing the graduation before, instead of after the concert and if you ask me, I thought it worked out pretty well. We had 10 boys from the 3rd KL Boys' Brigade Company there to help. They are friends of me li'l bro's. Er, I do know Yee Khai, though. We had 3 buglers to start of the grand procession, which was led by 2 flag-bearers. Grand opening, indeed.

I thought this year's seating arrangement and how we used the desks to form a barrier around the sound system and the projector screen was very helpful. It prevented unruly parents from bombarding the staircase to the stage and also kept them away from the sound system. Many parents were considerate and were seated for most of the concert. Some, however, were not so. I had to make announcements to ask them to be seated. Once, I had to go on stage to tell them that other parents seating behind the middle row were unable to watch the performance and were coming up to me to complain. That helped keep almost all of them seated. Those who were standing chose to stand at the sides of the hall. More interestingly, this year, we had groups of parents taking turns to come up to the front of the stage to snap shots of their little ones. This turn-taking amused dad a little, as it was the first time we've seen the parents behave in such an orderly manner.

My dance had a mistake! Sob, sob. I was terribly excited and nervous. I've never felt like that before! As expected, they did not remember the ending part where they had to form two lines to go in opposite directions. But, I am still very proud of them. I mean, they are only 7, 8 and 9 years old. They put together the entire dance in one week. And most importantly, they had loads of fun.

The finale was spectacular, as usual. They did not need a mic as everyone could hear the kids singing clearly. The night ended with everyone feeling tired but happy and satisfied. Mum is rewarding them with a seafood dinner in Kuala Selangor, inclusive of a firefly-sighting boat ride next Saturday.

Now, I have to scoot off to my post-concert meeting with the teachers. What do you think next year's theme should be?

Trying to keep up

I know, I know. I haven't been updating very regularly for the past week or so. I have a valid reason. You see, the big day was on Saturday. Naturally, having only 5 days available to train a whole dance with the kids, I had to make use of ALL the freaking time I had to choreograph, teach and train the dance, design the costume, get it made, and also to think of other props such as whether to have them wear a headgear or not, what necklace to buy and where to buy from, and how to get anklets and bangles that would make enough noise when they do their movements. I even had to try doing the make-up: what colour eyeshadow to mix, how dark or how light and so on. Speaking of nervous, man, it's my 12th concert and it was a hell of a night!

So yea, by the time I arrive home, I have other things to do. Things such as arranging the songs for the whole concert into two CDs, preparing the slideshows, ensuring the certificates and spellings of names were correct etc. It really was work but it felt really good.

I promise to put the pictures of the concert night up here when I get them. This year we managed to get the help of a local photo studio to help us with the photography of the entire event, and also for the rehearsal. Will talk more about the concert in the next entry. A gist of forthcoming entries: Concert & Graduation 2005, Second Stroke and Cameron Highlands. Hopefully Concert & Graduation 2005 will be put in tomorrow evening. =P